Feeding Our World: Engineering the Most Productive Aquaponics System
Help me give my students two AquaSprouts Aquaponics systems so they could explore how fish waste can benefit plants and how plants can return the favor by cleaning the water for the fish.
My students are active participants who prefer to learn by engaging in experimentation and inquiry. I agree with Albert Einstein's philosophy of teaching: "I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn."
My students thrive in conditions where they are given opportunities to ask their own questions, think critically, make mistakes, reflect upon these mistakes, and solve problems.
We are a small town with an enrollment of just over 700 students in our 7-12 school. We have built a strong, supportive community at our school. Even though many of our students come from low-income households and face many challenges outside of school, they always impress me with their willingness to engage in all of the classroom experiences.
My Project
My students need the AquaSprouts Aquaponics systems to begin their study of aquaponics and the relationship between the plants and fish in the system.
My students will be tasked with designing the most efficient and productive aquaponics system with the ultimate goal of providing fresh vegetables and fish to some of the neediest families in our community.
Students will use the engineering design process to design, build and test their own aquaponics systems after having the opportunity to learn all about the basics of aquaponics by using the small scale AquaSprouts Aquaponics systems. These smaller systems will allow my students to investigate various topics including the nitrogen cycle, water chemistry, photosynthesis, cellular respiration, and symbiosis.
This project will give my 7th graders, my 9th grade biology students and my 10th grade chemistry students the opportunity to collaborate with each other. Seventh graders will investigate the symbiotic relationship between the fish and the plants as well as the nitrogen cycle. Chemistry students will investigate water quality including pH, dissolved oxygen, and nitrate levels. Biology students will investigate photosynthesis and cellular respiration, as well as symbiosis and the nitrogen cycle.
Using the aquaponics systems to investigate these topics will provide authenticity for students and increased engagement because the students actually have to keep the fish and plants alive!
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Teacher DeMaria and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.